Chirps from Center Ice

A fan blog about the AHL's Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins

2022 Offseason Contract Statuses

Below is a list of all the names that touched or will touch the AHL’s version of the Penguins either this year or next year. If you spot an error or a glaring omission, please let me know. This list below on the main blog won’t be updated but the separate page will be.

Here is the key:

G6 UFA: Group VI Unrestricted Free Agent*
RFA: Restricted Free Agent
R-UC: An incoming rookie who is under contract.
UC: Under contract for the 22-23 season.
UFA: Unrestricted Free Agent

*- Definition from Puckpedia: A player becomes a Group 6 UFA if they are 25, completed 3 or more professional seasons, has a contract expiring, and has played less than 80 NHL Games.  For goalies, this is 28 NHL games with more than 30 minutes of ice time.  

I teetered between defining an NHL contacted player and non. I don’t think it matters.

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Name Position Status Blurb
Niclas Almari D RFA I don’t know why they decided to bring him back after letting him bounce for overseas earlier in the season. He won’t get qualified and you’ll never hear from him again.
Justin Almeida F RFA Buried in Wheeling where he thrived. Wasn’t part of taxi squad when Wheeling went out, probably tell tale sign he’s not going to get qualified.
Corey Andonovski F R-UC Saw him a bit in early Spring with WBS. I think he’s poised for a big 2022-23 season.
Anthony Angello F G6 UFA He either re-signs and is an AHL player or signs someplace else and is still an AHL player.
Raivis Ansons F R-UC Played with Nathan Legare in juniors. Will play with him in the AHL also.
Matt Bartkowski D UFA An, “it is what it is” type player. Not for everyone, but good enough.
Jordy Bellerive F RFA Salt of the earth type player. If he gets qualified it’s probably more WBS time in 22-23.
Kasper Bjorqvist F RFA I think he’s in the Alex D’Orio camp, but maybe less so. I think they expect more from him and haven’t got it. He probably gets qualified.
Shaw Boomhower D UFA Nailers D man with a funny name.
Michael Chaput F UFA Banged up a bit. 33 points in 57 games.
Jamie Devane F UC Brought in for toughness. Filled that role OK in today’s game. Will be back next year.
Louis Domingue G UFA Third option for the NHL Pens at goal, was thrust into duty in Round 1 vs. NYR. Was best option for WBS when healthy.
Alex D’Orio G RFA I don’t think they qualify him because I don’t think he’s developed the way they wanted.
Jan Drozg F RFA Given away to Grand Rapids for nothing. He won’t get qualified.
Taylor Fedun D UFA Played as captain. There will be a replacement for this role in 22-23.
Jordan Frasca F R-UC Put up tons of numbers with OHL Kingston. Different game playing with men, though.
Taylor Gauthier G R-UC I think he is Wheeling’s #1 for a part of next year.
Ty Glover F R-UC Saw two games with WBS at the end of the season.
Jonathan Gruden F UC Penalty killing forward who, when not on the ice on the PK, it shows.
Filip Hallander F UC In the the camp of “good but lacks finish” bucket of players.
Sam Houde F UFA Bounced between AHL / ECHL. Decent enough type player but probably doesn’t get an NHL contract.
P-O Joseph D RFA Should be #1 priority for a qualifying offer.
Cam Lee D RFA PIT signed a bunch of rookie D men. Lee was replaced in Game 3 vs. SPR for one of them. I don’t think he gets qualified.
Nathan Legare F UC Hit the rookie wall and was a healthy scratch towards the end of the year. Does he develop like Anthony Angello or more like Teddy Blueger?
Filip Lindberg G UC Broke his foot in the Winter. Last year was a wasted season for him. Now he has to play catch up.
Josh Maniscalco D UC Played in Wheeling. I don’t know if he cracks WBS in 22-23.
Tommy Nappier G UC Coming into his third year of his three year AHL deal. He’s been OK, holding things together in a tumultuous season.
Alex Nylander F RFA Should get qualified. Singlehandedly turned the Pens around after his trade from Rockford.
Drew O’Connor F UC Depending on how PIT does this offseason, probably a 13th / 14th forward option for PIT to start next season.
Kyle Olson F UFA OK AHL bottom six who plays with bite.
Chris Ortiz D UC Was buried in Wheeling for much of the year. Will be looking to breakthrough in 22-23.
Sam Poulin F UC Really took off as the season wore on. I think he’s probably ahead of Bjorkqvist, Angello, etc. developmentally.
Valtteri Puustinen F UC Was good, but lacked consistency most nights. Led the Pens in points, but this team lacked a finisher.
Will Reilly D RFA Another dime a dozen of the RFA group. If you like him, you want him qualified, but there are better options.
Mitch Reinke D UFA Good in flashes. Solid defensive depth.
Juuso Riikola D UFA Key PP QB for the Pens. He probably tries for another NHL deal elsewhere or bolts overseas.
Felix Robert F UFA I liked him. Played with pop. Wouldn’t mind seeing him again in a WBS sweater.
Lukas Svejkovsky F R-UC 2020 4th rounder by PIT will get his feet wet with WBS likely next year.
Colin Swoyer D R-UC Saw Game 3 against SPR. They think highly of him, and I think he’ll be fine.
Radim Zohorna F UC Can’t teach size. Solid NHL / AHL player.

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Again, this list will update over and if you spot an omission or error, please let me know and I will correct.

Last Update: May 17, 2022

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